11 December 2024

BISS List 12.11.24: Spotlight on Samantha Fish (12.16) + Best of BISS this Week

Happy Midweek BISS Listers! I hope your week is off to a great start! With so many incredible shows on the calendar, I bet many have already caught one or two on Monday and Tuesday!”

First, let’s kick things off with a huge, heartfelt THANK YOU to all of Our BISS List Supporters!! Last week on Giving Tuesday, we shared the exciting news that The BISS List is now fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media! 🎉 This partnership opens up new possibilities for the BISS List to thrive and grow. A massive thank you to everyone who has already contributed—we truly couldn’t do this without you.

Want to support BISS and help keep it thriving? Let’s keep this momentum going!

For perks like instant ticket wins, join us on Patreon.
For a tax-deductible donation, visit https://bit.ly/BISSListDonateNow!

Now, on to Last Week’s Highlights.

Tuesday: I started the week with a special celebration: Eric McFadden and Kate Vargas’ birthday celebration! It was a stellar evening with a lineup of incredible players. Check out the photos and recap here.

Wednesday: What an unforgettable night at the BISS Holiday Cocktail Party! Thank you all for coming out and celebrating with us. The turnout was incredible, as always, and the addition of the outdoor parklet made the space feel almost twice as big! For once, we actually remembered to take group photos before the very end—check out the group shots here. A huge shoutout and thank you to Maria Maria for capturing some truly fantastic moments throughout the evening. See if you made it into one of her shots here!

Thursday: A double-header night! First, I started with the Independent Arts & Media Holiday Gathering in downtown SF—a great way to connect with our new fiscal sponsor. Then, over the bridge to the Ivy Room for the 20th Anniversary of Guitar Player Magazine. The night kicked off with Spirit Hustler Guitar Brigade, led by Jimmy Leslie, delivering a fantastic set that included an epic guitar player extravaganza to celebrate 20 years of GGP. The performances were a true showcase of musical talent and a fitting tribute to this milestone anniversary. Then, Sgt. Splendor took the stage, featuring the dynamic duo of Eric McFadden and Kate Vargas, who always deliver an amazing performance. This time, they were joined by the incredible Angeline Saris on bass—an absolute badass, as always—and Paulo Baldi on drums, which took the set to the next level. Exciting news for Paulo Baldi fans: we learned he’ll be joining Primus for their two upcoming shows at The Fox. Fingers crossed, he lands the gig full-time – yes, he submitted his application just like everybody else!

Friday: Thank you to Ellisa for these fantastic videos from Dawes at The Fillmore! If you missed the show like I did, Ellisa did an amazing job of capturing some of the energy and magic of the night. It’s so great to see these moments from the community.

Saturday: What a whirlwind night of triple madness with back-to-back shows. It all started with The Dandy Warhols at Bimbo’s 365 Club, where their mesmerizing performance set the stage for an unforgettable evening. Next, I headed over to The Independent for Dragon Smoke, whose energy-filled set took things to the next level with their signature blend of funk and soul. And just when I thought the night couldn’t get any better, I ended up at the Boom Boom Room for RonKat’s Katdelic. The funky grooves had everyone dancing into the early hours of the morning. Three shows, three incredible vibes—this was live music at its finest!

Saturday at The Fillmore: A huge thank you to Gabriel Barkin for capturing some amazing shots during The Rex Foundation Benefit, featuring Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway. Check ou the full photo gallery and relive the moments from this special night!

Flashback to Greyboy Allstars: On Nov 22nd, the Greyboy Allstars brought their groove-filled energy to The New Parish for a night that reminded everyone why they’ve been a favorite for over two decades. The band’s tight, dynamic performance kept the crowd moving and smiling all night long. Since the show, I caught up with Karl Denson & Robert Walter for a mini-interview where we chatted about his thoughts on the Bay Area and the band’s evolution. Check out the interview and photos here. For videos of their performance, click here!

This Week’s Picks: After such a busy week, I’m taking some well-deserved rest but will be back in action by the weekend. If you’ve seen the upcoming music calendar, you know there’s no shortage of amazing shows to carry us through the end of the year. Rather than list them all here, check out the curated list in our Best of BISS section below for this week’s recommendations, the Win Tickets page for chances to attend shows for free, and the full calendar for a complete listing of events!

We’re shining a spotlight on Samantha Fish @ The Fillmore on 12/16 (*WIN*). She continues to amaze with her powerhouse vocals and genre-defying guitar work. I’m also excited to see Cedric Burnside opening for her. More details about this show below.

Looking Ahead at Boom Boom Room: The Boom Boom Room has an incredible lineup leading up to New Year’s Eve. Mark your calendars for these upcoming shows:

12/14: Nate Werth’s Good Time w/ DangerAte (*WIN*). Nate Werth (Snarky Puppy) brings his fantastic new project to SF. This is one you don’t want to miss! Find out more in the spotlight below.
12/21: Joe Marcinek Band with Robert Randolph + The Westones (& special guests) (*WIN*) take the stage for a night full of soulful grooves and high-energy funk.
12/28: LAZWELL (*WIN*) is back with his powerhouse performances to close out the year in style.
12/31: Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Afrolicious ft Joe McGuire (*WIN*) for a night full of infectious beats and great vibes. Wanna get warmed up for this one? Check out the latest track, “Love Brings” in the Listen To This section below!

If you are still trying to figure out your NYE plans, check out the list we compiled for you in last week’s BISS List. We’ve even added a few more shows and ticket giveaways! https://bit.ly/BISSlist-12-02-24.

That’s all for this week, BISS Listers! Thanks for keeping the music alive and being the heart of this amazing community.

~ Pamela aka Miss BISS
#seeyouattheshows

SPOTLIGHT ON BLUES GUITAR

Samantha Fish’s Shake ‘Em on Down Tour
ft Cedric Burnside, Jon Spencer

Dec 16th @ The Fillmore

Get ready for an electrifying night of blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll as the Second Annual Shake ’em on Down Tour hits the stage! This year’s lineup features an extraordinary trio of headlining artists guaranteed to deliver an unforgettable musical journey. Blues guitarist Samantha Fish, renowned for her ferocious guitar skills and sultry vocals, Samantha will captivate audiences with her blistering guitar solos and commanding stage presence, delivering a setlist packed with fan favorites. Joining the Shake ‘em on Down lineup this year is Blues royalty Cedric Burnside, a torchbearer of North Mississippi Hill Country blues. The grandson of the legendary R.L. Burnside, Cedric carries forward his family’s legacy with a mix of timeless rhythms and contemporary flair. And to round off this powerhouse lineup is the legendary Jon Spencer, whose boundary-pushing artistry has redefined rock and blues for decades. Experience their distinct styles in an evening where tradition and innovation merge seamlessly!

SPOTLIGHT ON NATE WERTH

Nate’s Werthless Good Time

Dec 14th @ Boom Boom Room

Join 5 time Grammy Award winning percussionist Nate Werth (Snarky Puppy, Ghost-Note) and his all star band for an unforgettable night of funk. Featuring Peter Knudsen (Ghost-Note), Jason Muscat (Atta Kid), Otis McDonald (Jazz Mafia), Max Cowan (Atta Kid), and more surprise special guests. The vibes will be lit up and high for this very special holiday extravaganza. Playing funk hits of the 70’s, 80’s, & 90’s sure to make your booty move all night. Come dance the night away with an incredible lineup of world-renowned musicians sure to be a Werthless Good Time.

**Check out all of our Featured Shows

LISTEN TO THIS

Listen to “Love Brings” by Afrolicious & Joe McGuire (Released 2024)

“Love Brings” is all about love in its many forms. We spoke with Joe McGuire and he told us that “it’s the longing of a narrator speaking to his lover, but it’s also me talking about the love and need for community, family, and friends.” The song came together in a whirlwind creative session. “You get in this trance-like state, jamming and having fun, and before you know it, the song is just… there.” The song brings joy and inspiration, even when life isn’t perfect. “Despite that stroll in the city when everything you see ain’t always pretty, the love you need can be found. Taste life, sweet dreamer—soon life will be all that you can see.”

Check out the full conversation with Joe on our website. You can catch Afrolicious on NYE at the Boom Boom Room—and you can win tickets from the BISS List!!

Why should you “Listen to This”? – BISS (Because I Said So). Check out the complete Spotify playlist with all the songs! #moretocome

*Got some new music we should listen to? Submit it for review!

BISS REVIEW

Greyboy Allstars

“Getting to see the incredible Karl Denson and Robert Walter work their magic alongside the rest of the Greyboy Allstars is a rare opportunity. With the crowd packed into The New Parish in Oakland, the night kicked off with a high-energy vibe that didn’t let up until the final note.” Check out the full review & photos from Pamela, including a mini-interview with Robert Walter.

BISS GALLERY

Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway: Rex Benefit

An incredible night with Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway in support of the Rex Foundation at The Fillmore. Check out the full gallery from Gabriel Barkin.